Ted's Picks by Ted Slater on 12/28/2007 at 1:23 PM

As editor of Boundless, I'm very familiar with the articles we publish each week. There've been a lot of great ones, and some exceptional ones. During this last week of the year, I wanted to highlight some that you may have missed when they first hit the stands:

I'm Just Not Attracted To Her

Author Michael Lawrence recognizes that while a lot of single guys may admire the women around them, they're not pursuing any of them because there's just no spark with any of them. He explores this "problem of attraction," going on to address the purpose and promise of beauty. This article could radically change the way you think about your feelings toward the opposite sex.

Following My Heart

I appreciate how vulnerable Nathan Zacharias was when he wrote this article. He talks about how he fell for a woman, how he gave so much to the relationship, how he followed his heart despite all the red flags. "Romantic!" some might say. In retrospect, Nathan sees his blind passion as foolishness.

How Not to Lose Your Faith in College

Half of our readers are in college, and will be returning to the campus in a week or two. It's a great time to make some changes, to start something new that will improve your walk with the Lord. If you're a bit disappointed with how your spiritual life suffered during the Fall semester, why not resolve to turn things around during the upcoming semester? This could very well be your best semester yet!

I'm interested to hear how these articles have affected you. I'd also love to hear how anything else we've published on Boundless has touched you.

Ted's Picks by Ted Slater on 12/28/2007 at 1:23 PM

As editor of Boundless, I'm very familiar with the articles we publish each week. There've been a lot of great ones, and some exceptional ones. During this last week of the year, I wanted to highlight some that you may have missed when they first hit the stands:

I'm Just Not Attracted To Her

Author Michael Lawrence recognizes that while a lot of single guys may admire the women around them, they're not pursuing any of them because there's just no spark with any of them. He explores this "problem of attraction," going on to address the purpose and promise of beauty. This article could radically change the way you think about your feelings toward the opposite sex.

Following My Heart

I appreciate how vulnerable Nathan Zacharias was when he wrote this article. He talks about how he fell for a woman, how he gave so much to the relationship, how he followed his heart despite all the red flags. "Romantic!" some might say. In retrospect, Nathan sees his blind passion as foolishness.

How Not to Lose Your Faith in College

Half of our readers are in college, and will be returning to the campus in a week or two. It's a great time to make some changes, to start something new that will improve your walk with the Lord. If you're a bit disappointed with how your spiritual life suffered during the Fall semester, why not resolve to turn things around during the upcoming semester? This could very well be your best semester yet!

I'm interested to hear how these articles have affected you. I'd also love to hear how anything else we've published on Boundless has touched you.

Comments

[1. Tami said the following at 1:47 PM on Dec 28:]

1

I'm currently studying and meditating on the Sermon on the Mount. So I was really blessed when you published the Best Sermon Ever. It was perfect timing.

But I did wonder, why does that Author have a shorter bio than some of your other writers? :)

[2. Becca said the following at 2:54 PM on Dec 28:]

2

As a young mother of 2 daughters (a 4-year-old and one to be born next week!), I was very touched by Jenny Schroedel's articles "Forty Days with Natalie" and "The Gift of Presence."

[3. xeres said the following at 4:05 PM on Dec 28:]

3

There are so much articles that really have a lot of meat to them. In my case, I really resonated with "Mixed blessings", "sex isn't about waiting", "Media and Culture" and "Kamikaze at my back"

[4. Adam T. said the following at 4:06 PM on Dec 28:]

4

I'm interested to hear how these articles have affected you.

'I'm Just Not Attracted to Her' made me think, bigtime. I felt - and still feel - that it was woefully inadequate... unrealistic... in certain ways, but it still made me think (in a good way).

[5. brx said the following at 4:41 PM on Dec 28:]

5

A few articles that I thought revealed deeper perspective - along with examples of how Christ can work unexpected things in the midst of our weakness and vulnerability:

+Out of Lesbianism by Brenna Kate Simonds,
+Suzanne Hadley's Trusting God with Relationships blog series,
+that one testimony about living with mental illness (sorry, can't recall the title/author) [feel free to insert it].

I found insight in these that I think helps me relate better to people on the fringe.

Keep it up, Boundless Team! (hope I get to meet some of you folks someday) God speed!

[6. Ted Slater said the following at 4:53 PM on Dec 28:]

6

brx -- could you be thinking of "Kamikaze at my Back," by George Halitzka? I'm deeply affected by pretty much everything George writes. His most recent article, "Helicopter Seeds," really got me.

[7. DannieA said the following at 5:33 PM on Dec 28:]

7

I did empathize with the article "Following my heart" as I fell for man who proclaimed himself agnostic. (Ironically he was also from Florida)

When he told me I had to choose between God and him, I knew it was over. It was hard and a hard lesson, but at least I learned a few valuable lessons from this experience.
So that article hit close to home

[8. Rachael said the following at 5:58 PM on Dec 28:]

8

I've probably read more articles on the blog than in the section with non-blog articles, so thank you for providing links and reviews for some of those articles. I do really enjoy many of the blog articles; thank you all very much!

As for the non-blog articles, I LOVED "Helicopter Seeds." Loved it! I had never read anything like it before! I love to think that the wonder in us in how God might be working might be the fruit God desired! And to think that the seeds contribute to the beauty of His divine plan in some way...

Another one I liked was "Silent Night, Lonely Night" by Carolyn McCulley. In that article, she mentioned "Just like today, expectation and emotion ruled the day." It is good to reflect upon what life was like back then and to remember that people then had many of the same emotions that people have today. The Bible is for people of all times!

Again, thank you very much to everyone at Boundless for all of the articles and blog articles you write!!

[9. brx said the following at 6:58 PM on Dec 28:]

9

Yep, that was it, "Kamikaze at my Back"; Xeres' comment also reminded me. And, "Helicopter Seeds" was pretty cool too; though, I think good youth pastors/counselors tend to have a greater and more lasting impact in that fleeting moment than George seems to suspect he did.

[10. Ted Slater said the following at 10:44 PM on Dec 28:]

10

Rachael -- you've got a great blog. Keep up the fine work.

I take it you have a cat? :-)

[11. Fred said the following at 3:59 AM on Dec 29:]

11

I'd say 'I'm Just Not Attracted to Her' was the one I'll remember because I couldn't believe Michael would admit one reason he married his wife was because she was beautiful and then say the rest of us should ignore the physical.

He over-complicates the whole issue instead of just saying that beauty is a fluid concept (although it isn't exactly) and we should simply focus more on who a person is instead of what they look like.

Of course he forgets that God wouldn't allow anyone who was deformed to serve Him in the Tabernacle and that even babies find certain faces more attractive than others.

[12. Kate said the following at 7:17 AM on Dec 29:]

12

Recently I really liked Helicopter Seeds. Not only was it a beautiful reflection but also the type of descriptive flowing writing that captured me completely when I was reading it and sort of "reset" my state of mind that day when I was done.

I think Boundless has affected me more broadly than a few articles, especially because I have been reading for almost 2 years now! Most weeks I can count on learning something or being reminded of something important from the articles and blog. I came across it before there was a blog when I was in the midst of a rather bad relationship that was far far away from God and his plan. I really needed some good solid teaching about Christian relationships/marriage and reinforcement of the good and right things I knew about relationships. The Boundless articles I read provided a lot of important wisdom & perspective that surely must have helped me walk away from that relationship and heal before finding/choosing the much more healthy, God-honoring relationship I am currently in!

It's funny because in a way, even before the blog, Boundless provided something like solid Christian community that I did not have in my life then, even though it was just articles on the internet!

[13. BDB said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 29:]

13

I think it's good that you list both, "I'm just not attracted to her" and the "Followed my Heart" article. Intellectual and emotional intensity mixed together can be much more attractive than looks alone.

Those articles contrast sharply with something Elisabeth Elliot wrote about not putting too much stock in thrills and chills because the love that makes a marriage is basically a deep respect and an unselfish kindness-that's pleasant to live with.

That's something to think about: would you rather live with unselfish kindness or an exciting roller-coaster?

[14. Rachael said the following at 10:48 PM on Dec 29:]

14

Thanks, Ted, and yep, I sure do have a cat :).

[15. Scott said the following at 11:23 AM on Jan 2:]

15

I must agree with Fred. I think "I'm just not attracted to her" was one of the worst articles I've ever read at Boundless. Michael Lawrence overcomplicated the issue, and also, I felt, talked down to his audience in doing so.

The opening paragraph makes a huge assumption about what these young men meant when they said, "I'm just not attracted to her," and in doing so, indicates to me that Lawrence lacks care and a desire to understand his audience. He should have asked, "What do you mean by that?" rather than jumping to the conclusion that they are referring to physical beauty when they say, "attraction."

[16. Chrissy Becker said the following at 9:50 PM on Jan 29:]

16

Nathan did write a beautiful article. That story is about us. Thank you for teaching me so much and being my first love. We were not right for each other but it was good for us and we both learned alot about who we are and what we want. It is because of our relationship that I am with the man I am today, I finally found my soulmate. I wish nothing but the best for you.

[1. Tami said the following at 1:47 PM on Dec 28:]

1

I'm currently studying and meditating on the Sermon on the Mount. So I was really blessed when you published the Best Sermon Ever. It was perfect timing.

But I did wonder, why does that Author have a shorter bio than some of your other writers? :)

[2. Becca said the following at 2:54 PM on Dec 28:]

2

As a young mother of 2 daughters (a 4-year-old and one to be born next week!), I was very touched by Jenny Schroedel's articles "Forty Days with Natalie" and "The Gift of Presence."

[3. xeres said the following at 4:05 PM on Dec 28:]

3

There are so much articles that really have a lot of meat to them. In my case, I really resonated with "Mixed blessings", "sex isn't about waiting", "Media and Culture" and "Kamikaze at my back"

[4. Adam T. said the following at 4:06 PM on Dec 28:]

4

I'm interested to hear how these articles have affected you.

'I'm Just Not Attracted to Her' made me think, bigtime. I felt - and still feel - that it was woefully inadequate... unrealistic... in certain ways, but it still made me think (in a good way).

[5. brx said the following at 4:41 PM on Dec 28:]

5

A few articles that I thought revealed deeper perspective - along with examples of how Christ can work unexpected things in the midst of our weakness and vulnerability:

+Out of Lesbianism by Brenna Kate Simonds,
+Suzanne Hadley's Trusting God with Relationships blog series,
+that one testimony about living with mental illness (sorry, can't recall the title/author) [feel free to insert it].

I found insight in these that I think helps me relate better to people on the fringe.

Keep it up, Boundless Team! (hope I get to meet some of you folks someday) God speed!

[6. Ted Slater said the following at 4:53 PM on Dec 28:]

6

brx -- could you be thinking of "Kamikaze at my Back," by George Halitzka? I'm deeply affected by pretty much everything George writes. His most recent article, "Helicopter Seeds," really got me.

[7. DannieA said the following at 5:33 PM on Dec 28:]

7

I did empathize with the article "Following my heart" as I fell for man who proclaimed himself agnostic. (Ironically he was also from Florida)

When he told me I had to choose between God and him, I knew it was over. It was hard and a hard lesson, but at least I learned a few valuable lessons from this experience.
So that article hit close to home

[8. Rachael said the following at 5:58 PM on Dec 28:]

8

I've probably read more articles on the blog than in the section with non-blog articles, so thank you for providing links and reviews for some of those articles. I do really enjoy many of the blog articles; thank you all very much!

As for the non-blog articles, I LOVED "Helicopter Seeds." Loved it! I had never read anything like it before! I love to think that the wonder in us in how God might be working might be the fruit God desired! And to think that the seeds contribute to the beauty of His divine plan in some way...

Another one I liked was "Silent Night, Lonely Night" by Carolyn McCulley. In that article, she mentioned "Just like today, expectation and emotion ruled the day." It is good to reflect upon what life was like back then and to remember that people then had many of the same emotions that people have today. The Bible is for people of all times!

Again, thank you very much to everyone at Boundless for all of the articles and blog articles you write!!

[9. brx said the following at 6:58 PM on Dec 28:]

9

Yep, that was it, "Kamikaze at my Back"; Xeres' comment also reminded me. And, "Helicopter Seeds" was pretty cool too; though, I think good youth pastors/counselors tend to have a greater and more lasting impact in that fleeting moment than George seems to suspect he did.

[10. Ted Slater said the following at 10:44 PM on Dec 28:]

10

Rachael -- you've got a great blog. Keep up the fine work.

I take it you have a cat? :-)

[11. Fred said the following at 3:59 AM on Dec 29:]

11

I'd say 'I'm Just Not Attracted to Her' was the one I'll remember because I couldn't believe Michael would admit one reason he married his wife was because she was beautiful and then say the rest of us should ignore the physical.

He over-complicates the whole issue instead of just saying that beauty is a fluid concept (although it isn't exactly) and we should simply focus more on who a person is instead of what they look like.

Of course he forgets that God wouldn't allow anyone who was deformed to serve Him in the Tabernacle and that even babies find certain faces more attractive than others.

[12. Kate said the following at 7:17 AM on Dec 29:]

12

Recently I really liked Helicopter Seeds. Not only was it a beautiful reflection but also the type of descriptive flowing writing that captured me completely when I was reading it and sort of "reset" my state of mind that day when I was done.

I think Boundless has affected me more broadly than a few articles, especially because I have been reading for almost 2 years now! Most weeks I can count on learning something or being reminded of something important from the articles and blog. I came across it before there was a blog when I was in the midst of a rather bad relationship that was far far away from God and his plan. I really needed some good solid teaching about Christian relationships/marriage and reinforcement of the good and right things I knew about relationships. The Boundless articles I read provided a lot of important wisdom & perspective that surely must have helped me walk away from that relationship and heal before finding/choosing the much more healthy, God-honoring relationship I am currently in!

It's funny because in a way, even before the blog, Boundless provided something like solid Christian community that I did not have in my life then, even though it was just articles on the internet!

[13. BDB said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 29:]

13

I think it's good that you list both, "I'm just not attracted to her" and the "Followed my Heart" article. Intellectual and emotional intensity mixed together can be much more attractive than looks alone.

Those articles contrast sharply with something Elisabeth Elliot wrote about not putting too much stock in thrills and chills because the love that makes a marriage is basically a deep respect and an unselfish kindness-that's pleasant to live with.

That's something to think about: would you rather live with unselfish kindness or an exciting roller-coaster?

[14. Rachael said the following at 10:48 PM on Dec 29:]

14

Thanks, Ted, and yep, I sure do have a cat :).

[15. Scott said the following at 11:23 AM on Jan 2:]

15

I must agree with Fred. I think "I'm just not attracted to her" was one of the worst articles I've ever read at Boundless. Michael Lawrence overcomplicated the issue, and also, I felt, talked down to his audience in doing so.

The opening paragraph makes a huge assumption about what these young men meant when they said, "I'm just not attracted to her," and in doing so, indicates to me that Lawrence lacks care and a desire to understand his audience. He should have asked, "What do you mean by that?" rather than jumping to the conclusion that they are referring to physical beauty when they say, "attraction."

[16. Chrissy Becker said the following at 9:50 PM on Jan 29:]

16

Nathan did write a beautiful article. That story is about us. Thank you for teaching me so much and being my first love. We were not right for each other but it was good for us and we both learned alot about who we are and what we want. It is because of our relationship that I am with the man I am today, I finally found my soulmate. I wish nothing but the best for you.